The 10 Cent Mini-Survival Knife...v.2.x.....

If any of you are not familiar with M4040, you should check out his site....he's a survival expert and a master bladesmith...

This instructible is based on his 10 cent survival knife design....with a little pinache thrown in for good looks and function...

Step 1: Materials and Tools...

First, pick up some hacksaw blades at the local hardware store, and a chunk of hardwood from the scrap pile or at the lumber store....

You're gonna at least need a bench grinder or belt sander, and a rotary tool for fine work, if you want to make this job relatively easy....a few fine grit sandpapers will help hone your edges, too.....I like my blades to mow hair...

I used my trusty old grinder that I rigged up from an industrial vent motor when I was about knee-high (yeah, it's still my favorite, and I can't seem to break it), and my new Dremel Stylus, which kicks a**, a couple of cutting wheels, and various attachments.

I also recommend Loctite Super Glue and Loctite 5min 2-part epoxy for just about all multi-material adhesion, simply because it works, is sandable, toolable, and I happen to always have some on hand.

Comments

[Jarheadicus]

I would grind off the serrated edge where the handle is...

[spylock]

Ive made a couple out of old miter saws,theyre more rigid,and hold an edge pretty darn good.The only problem is being able to keep it after youve made it,as your friends will love em.

[Lotsa Bad Luck]

I tried to make a hacksaw blade knife but it wouldn't hold an edge. My Dad told me it's because of what metal is used and how it's made.

[mekennedy1313]

It's more of a grind but if you sharpen the saw edge that is induction hardened where the rest is just soft steel it will hold an edge better. Alternately heat red hot and quench. Clean a spot off the blade to bare bright steel. Then heat to about 325 in an oven and watch until that spot turns straw coloured. Turn oven off and allow to cool slowly. The steel is now hardened and tempered so it isn't brittle.

[n0ukf]

Why are you removing the slug and powder from a live shell? It would be much safer to get a spent shell from someone. I'm sure they'd give you a few (or as many as you want for free since they can't be reloaded.

Even with the bullet and powder removed, the primer is still live. Be careful!

[HTWTUSA]

Ummm...you might wanna sit down for this...

...I'm a firearms expert. As such, I can assuredly say this: Removing a .22 slug, powder, and firing the primer with applied heat is so easy and safe, a 6 year old caveman can do it...in fact, it's a helluva lot safer than running out the door at 10PM to fire off a shot, just to recover a spent brass....xD

P.S. You should read the entire article before commenting...I'm just sayin' :-)

[northcalgreens]

That knife looks awesome, i imagine people could use any blades to make these sawzall blades come in all sorts of shapes an sizes if someone needs a different blade edge or a thickier blade. I have hacksaw blades wrapped with tape,all over. They really come in handy for little jobs and dont take up much room in the tool box. A person might magnetize one of those blades to use as a compas or to make a compass. Good ible!

[infob]

It is a good blade to do a peasant knife "http://www.instructables.com/id/My-First-Knife/"

[Mr.1911]

This is instructables at it's finest!!!! Five stars by the way.

[happybanana]

could anyone tell me where to get cheap hacksaw blades in the uk because theyre £5 for a pack of two blades in B&Q and i don't have that kinda money

[15zhangfra]

i don't live in the UK, nor have i ever been there, but you could probably go to a wood-shop or some shop that uses hacksaws and ask for blunt hacksaw blades. it will also make grinding off the serrations easier ( unless if you want to keep for gimping or something).

[happybanana]

thank you very very much for your comment and your tip helped me to create this knife.my phsycic powers tell me that you are from canada?

[15zhangfra]

good guess, but nope ;) i like maple trees i guess.

[hanelyp]

Hack saws are intended to cut metal, not wood.

[doo da do]

If you are camping and in a fix,would work better than nothing, they do cut most anything. Happy camping!!

[zglynn]

nice knife really want to make it

[ninja of suburbia]

As a journeyman blacksmith and bladesmith I applaud you. This is very simple and easy to follow. Might I suggest you add some sort of wraparound plate on the back of the hilt so that the sawblade doesn't attack your hand?

[tulekah]

i'm thinking skip the handle, just edge with half inch scotch tape and wrap with two layers of para-cord. stash them every where and you have a blade and saw you can hilt with cord or mount on a stick. a saw on an 8 foot pole has saved the day twice in my life.

[HTWTUSA]

Common sense, at last!...no matter how 'flimsy' they may seem...a sharp edge on a long pole is a hunting implement, a weapon, a fishing gig, a tool...you name it...and you can pack scores of these little, disposable edges EVERYWHERE!

[thelastonekills]

great advice 2 have them every where,
just dont let people who have a grudge near ur house :P.
i have been doing some stuff with hardening steel and was wondering if you know any good way of checking a blades strength with out having to break it?

ps. 5/5

[mikesnyd]

As far as i know there is no test for metal other then when the whole batch has been melted and poured. The test piece is broken to determine the strength for the rest of the batch.

[HTWTUSA]

Honestly, I have no idea...I'd suggest just searching for the info among knife-maker boards or google searching for the info...I'm not really a metal-worker, just a bit of a tinkerer, really....good luck, though!

[hossweightlifter]

Very nice 'ible but the only thing is when you are holding it cutting with the flat edge wouldn't it hurt it it slipped because of the saw part?

[HTWTUSA]

True, these hobby-style concepts are more form than function, but the real focus should be on the base concept itself. The original, no-frills, fixed design is the truly functional one, and it's functionality is limited only by the imagination...xD

[Joenavy85]

you use the paracord for the handle, use more than required. you can then take it off cut a short section and remove the center cords and use them to lash it to a stick to make a spear

[LCsDad]

+1 on the ParaCord. That blade needs a mean-looking handle. Almost a shame to cover the knife up though. Looks nice 'bare'.

[eranox]

Agreed, that's a pretty sweet idea. I had thought of wrapping the handle section with duct tape, which would make for a cheap but servicable handle. You could hide some needles, fishing hooks, and fishing line or snare wire under the duct tape (or paracord), and you'd have a great start at a survival kit. I think I may make an instructable for that, assuming there isn't one already.

[gary.918]

very nice. i like that you left the saw teeth the folding part is the best. keep up the good work. use okies have to stick together.

robbtoberfest, you can make a serviceable knife blade out of just about any saw blade or flat spring.

[iac]

One hacksaw blade, 2-3 knives.
Nice.

[HTWTUSA]

Totally...I took M4040's advice and built about 4 dozen of his originals (title pic) and they're all throughout my bug-out gear...best disposable knife concept I've come across so far.

Remember: The "hobby knives" I've shown you here are just that: form before function, and fun to make. The original design as shown in the title pic is, IMHO, the ultimate disposable survival knife, and all the credit goes to M4040 for literally inventing the concept.

[techno guy]

Im not really a metal maker.do you know where i can buy a knife?

[HTWTUSA]

Umm...really? If you're just looking for a decent pocket knife, check out your local Home Depot...if you're looking for something a bit more high-end, check out darkopsknives.com ...this particular one is modeled after M4040's concept, and you might even check him out if you want a badass custom job...his blades are pure genius...period.

[Vulcanator]

When grinding the initial shape, be careful not to "burn" the steel, as you have clearly done. when grinding, a substantial amount of heat is produced and can cause the steel to lose its tempering, and the metal becomes softer, not suitable to hold an edge. taking it slow, and keeping a cup of water next to the grinder (to dip the blade in) helps. i was taught this by a man who makes knive professionally, and i have been making knives from hardened steel for years.

[HTWTUSA]

Ummm...didn't burn the steel, there, Slick...I burned the paint on the steel, and these cheap hacksaw blades aren't tempered anyway...

[Blaaken]

Actually, if you do burn it, and you stick dunk it in the water, it's the perfect opportunity to harden the steal to hold the edge. Just don't constantly dunk it, otherwise you ruin the blade.

[Kman77]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this blade set up in such a way that when applying pressure to the knife blade it will be forcing the blade to open pushing the hacksaw side into your hand, and when you apply pressure to the hacksaw blade when it is open it will try and close itself? Other than this I love the idea, it looks great!

[HTWTUSA]

Actually, you've got it backwards...but good question, anyway...and something to pay attention to when designing any simple folder.

[Kman77]

In your first picture here is it folded to be used as a hacksaw and in the third photo is it in knife mode? If so then disregard my previous comment.

[HTWTUSA]

Aah..I understand your observation now...yes, you had it right the first time, the thumb is placed on the back side of the blade in both positions to maintain position. It's actually quite comfortable, but I wouldn't want to use this particular model for any extended period of time...

It was a neat concept, though...and a cool trinket to send to a survivalist buddy.

[Blaaken]

Couldn't you just basically flip how you made it so that when you're sawing the blade doesn't try to close and so when your cutting it doesn't try to close either? Just an idea, but i think that would fix the whole issue lol